Sampling and rejection device

ABSTRACT

A sampling and rejection device for a boiler or steam generating system is described. The sampling and rejection device receives the condensate or fluid and allows a volume of the condensate to liquefy or the fluid to build up in the interior of the sampling and rejection device. One or more conductivity, pH, and temperature sensors or probes are positioned in the sampling and rejection device to measure the condensate. The sampling and rejection device includes a collection vessel to hold and temporarily store the condensate. The sampling and rejection device includes an outlet or a return line (to a central boiler) and a drain line. If the sensor measures undesirable conductivity, pH, or temperature in the condensate in the collection vessel, then a valve to the drain line is opened and the condensate is rejected.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/016,284 filed Jan. 28, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sampling and rejection device thatmonitors conductivity, pH, temperature, or other physical/chemicalcharacteristics of condensate in a steam generating or boiler system.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Boilers and stream generating systems are commonly used in industrial,institutional, and power generating facilities. One or more steamgenerators, such as, for example, a boiler, heat water or fluid to formsteam, which is distributed throughout the facility to provide steam foruse in comfort, process, or power generation applications. Thecondensate or condensed steam is returned to the boiler or the steamgenerator for efficiency.

The boilers and steam generating system are designed to operate withcondensate having conductivity, pH, and temperature within targetedranges. When the conductivity, pH, and temperature of the condensatedeviates out of the targeted range, problems in the condensate of asteam generating system may develop. These problems may include mineralscale, carbonic corrosion, and thermal fatigue. These problems mayresult in costly maintenance and repairs to the steam generatingsystems.

Conditioning chemicals or amines are commonly used to treat thecondensate in the steam generating systems. The conditioning chemicalsare designed to minimize the corrosion caused by carbonic acid.

Heat exchangers are utilized in many steam generating systems.Problematic or defective heat exchangers can result in condensatecontamination and temperature losses.

In general, quality condensate is considered to be low in conductivity,low in hardness, alkaline with respect to pH, heated, and essentiallydistilled water.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A sampling and rejection device for a steam generating system isdescribed. The sampling and rejection device receives the condensate orfluid and allows a volume of the condensate to liquefy and build up inan interior of the sampling and rejection device. One or more sensors orprobes are mounted in the sampling and rejection device to measurephysical or chemical characteristics of the condensate, such asconductivity, pH, and/or temperature. The sampling and rejection deviceincludes a collection vessel to hold and temporarily store thecondensate. The sampling and rejection device includes an outlet or areturn line (to the steam generator) and a drain line. If one of thesensors measures the condensate out of acceptable parameters or targetedranges in the collection vessel, then a valve to the drain line isopened and the undesirable condensate is removed from the sampling andrejection vessel. Otherwise, the return line or the outlet passes thecondensate back to the steam generator. An alarm and/or data loggingequipment may be in electrical communication with the sensor to recordthe time/date when the event occurred.

In one aspect, a sampling and rejection device for condensate from asteam generating system is described. The sampling and rejection deviceincludes a collection vessel defining an interior to hold a volume ofcondensate; an inlet in fluidic communication with the interior of thecollection vessel to pass condensate to the interior; an outlet influidic communication with the interior of the collection vessel; arejection outlet in fluidic communication with the interior of thecollection vessel, the rejection outlet comprising a dump valve tocontrol flow of condensate through the rejection outlet; one or moresampling probes, such as a conductivity sampling probe to measure theconductivity of the condensate in the interior of the collection vessel,a pH sampling probe to measure the acidity versus alkalinity of thecondensate, and/or a temperature probe to measure liquid temperature ofthe condensate; and, a controller in electrical communication with thedump valve and the one or more sampling probes, wherein the controlleropens the dump or reject valve based on readings from the samplingprobes.

In another aspect, a method of monitoring a fluid in a steam generatingsystem is described. The method includes providing a sampling andrejection device, the device comprising a collection vessel defining aninterior; an inlet in fluidic communication with the interior of thecollection vessel; an outlet in fluidic communication with the interiorof the collection vessel; a rejection outlet in fluidic communicationwith the interior of the collection vessel, the rejection outletcomprising a dump valve to control flow of fluid through the rejectionoutlet; one or more sampling probes, such as a conductivity samplingprobe to measure the conductivity of the fluid in the interior of thecollection vessel, a pH probe to measure the acidity and alkalinity ofthe condensate, or a temperature probe to measure the temperature of thecondensed steam; and, a controller in electrical communication with theprobes. The method includes opening the dump valve if a conductivitylevel exceeds a threshold level or if pH and temperature are not intheir targeted range.

In another aspect, a steam generator system is described. The steamgenerator system includes a central boiler for generating steam; pipesor lines to distribute the steam about an industrial facility; asampling and rejection device positioned in the boiler system, thedevice comprising: a collection vessel defining an interior; an inlet influidic communication with the interior of the collection vessel; anoutlet in fluidic communication with the interior of the collectionvessel; a rejection outlet in fluidic communication with the interior ofthe collection vessel, the rejection outlet comprising a dump valve tocontrol flow of fluid through the rejection outlet; one or more samplingprobes, such as a conductivity sampling probe to measure theconductivity of the fluid in the interior of the collection vessel, a pHprobe to measure the acidity and alkalinity of the condensate, or atemperature probe to measure the temperature of the condensed steam;and, a controller in electrical communication with the dump valve andthe sampling probes, wherein the controller opens the dump valve basedon the readings from the sampling probes.

In another aspect, a sampling and rejection device for condensate from aboiler or steam generating system is described. The device includes atank to receive a volume of condensate. An inlet is in fluidiccommunication with an interior of the tank to pass the condensate to theinterior. An outlet is in fluidic communication with the interior of thetank. An output line is in fluidic communication with the outlet. One ormore valves selectively control fluid flow from the output line to acondensate return line and a waste water line. One or more samplingprobes measure physical or chemical characteristics of the condensate inthe interior of the tank. A controller is in electrical communicationwith the one or more valves and the one or more sampling probes. Thecontroller opens and closes the one or more valves based on the readingsfrom the one or more sampling probes to direct fluid to the condensatereturn line or the waste water line.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the boiler system.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the sampling and rejection device.

FIGS. 3(A)-(G) are views of the input nozzle.

FIG. 4 is a plan diagram of the controller.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the second sampling and rejectiondevice.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the third sampling and rejectiondevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The sampling and rejection device will now be described with referenceto the FIGS. With reference to FIG. 1, a sampling and rejection device50 is typically positioned in a condensate return line 15 of a boilersystem 10. As such, the sampling and rejection device 50 samples thecondensate before the condensate returns to a central boiler 20 of theboiler system 10. One or more sampling and rejection devices 50 may bepositioned throughout the boiler system 10. The sampling and rejectiondevice 50 may be installed or retrofitted in to existing boiler systems10 or included in new boiler systems 10.

Generally, the boiler system 10 forms a loop through out the industrialfacility. The central boiler 20 heats water provided to or condensatereturned to the central boiler 20 to form the steam. The steam isdistributed throughout the industrial facility. The steam may cool andform liquid condensate as it travels through the industrial facility.And, the condensed steam or “condensate” is retuned for efficiency. Assuch, the condensate returned to the boiler feed-water or make-up vesselis susceptible to contamination. Constantly adding fresh water to theboiler system 10 is expensive and not desirable as fresh water (make-upwater) should be chemically pre-treated, heated, and chemically treated.

The boiler system 10 includes the central boiler 20, which is in fluidiccommunication via pipes, lines, conduits, etc. with heating apparatus,heat exchangers, processing equipment, etc. throughout the industrialfacility that require or use the steam from the central boiler 20. Thecentral boiler 20 heats water to form steam, which is then distributedby the steam lines. The steam reaches its destination and is injected,utilized in a heat exchanger, trapped in a steam trap, and then returnedto the central boiler 20 via the condensate return line 15.

The boiler system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Fromthe central boiler 20, the steam passes to a steam header 22, which isin fluid communication with the remainder of the boiler system 10,including steams lines 24, which pass the steam to the variousapplications for use. From the applications, the returning steam maypass through dryers 26 and accumulators 28 to collect the condensate.The condensate may then pass via the condensate return line 15 to thesampling and rejection device 50 for processing and/or monitoring. The“good or desirable” condensate, i.e., the condensate with conductivity,pH, and/or temperature within a targeted range or below thresholdlevels, may pass to a make up water tank 32, which is fluidiccommunication with the central boiler 20 by a transfer pump 34. The makeup water tank 32 may also be in supply communication with a municipalwater supply to additional water to the boiler system 10 as additionalwater is demanded to maintain adequate fluid levels in the boiler system10. The central boiler 20 may include a main tank 36 for storage offluid for immediate use in the central boiler 20. The “bad orundesirable condensate” passes to a waste water line 38 for disposal.

Conductivity less than 50 umohs is typically considered to be acceptableor desirable. Desirable pH and temperature of the condensate is basedand dependent on the system engineering and type of chemical treatmentbeing used. For example, in some systems, the condensate should have atemperature reading of greater than approximately 160°-180° F., and thecondensate should have a neutral to alkaline pH. In other systems, thesevalues may vary.

Failure of the boiler system 10 may lead to lost productivity or closingof the facility. Replacing or fixing the central boiler 20 may provecostly.

Typically, the sampling and rejection device 50 is positioned remotefrom the central boiler 20. The condensate return line 15 fluidlyconnects the sampling and rejection device 50 with the central boiler20.

The sampling and rejection device 50 may be several hundred feet or morefrom the central boiler 20. The use of multiple sampling and rejectiondevices 50 assists in determining a specific location or point in theboiler system 10 that is causing the undesirable condensate. Withmultiple sampling and rejection devices 50 positioned in differentlocations or points throughout the industrial facility, it may be easierto locate or pinpoint the cause of an undesirable conductivity, pH, ortemperature reading. This may assist in efficiently performing thenecessary repairs to the boiler system 10.

The sampling and rejection device 50 includes a collection vessel 160 toreceive the condensate. The collection vessel 160 includes an interiorvolume 162 to contain a quantity of the condensate. The collectionvessel 160 may include a tank or other liquid receptacle. The collectionvessel 160 may be made from stainless steel or other non-reactivematerial. The interior volume 162 of the collection vessel 160 isgenerally hollow to hold the condensate.

The sampling and rejection device 50 includes an inlet 55 in fluidiccommunication with the interior of the collection vessel 160. The inlet55 provides for condensate to enter into the interior volume 162 of thecollection vessel 160. The inlet 55 is in fluidic communication with thecondensate return line 15 of the boiler system 10.

An outlet 65 is in fluidic communication with the interior volume 162 ofthe collection vessel 160. The outlet 65 passes the condensate back tothe central boiler 20 or the make-up tank 32 in fluidic communicationwith the central boiler 20 via the condensate return line 15. Arejection outlet 85 is in fluidic communication with the interior of thecollection vessel 160 and is for condensate that should not pass back tothe central boiler 20. The rejection outlet 85 passes the condensate tothe waste water line 38.

Typically, the outlet 65 and the inlet 55 are positioned on oppositesides of the sampling and rejection device 50 in order to allow thecondensate to mix and circulate with the volume of condensate in thecollection vessel 160. The outlet 65 and the inlet 55 are furtherpositioned above a bottom floor 170 of the collection vessel 160 inorder to allow the volume of the condensate to build up in thecollection vessel 160 before the condensate passes through the outlet65. By positioning the outlet 65 above or a distance from the bottomfloor, the condensate must reach a certain depth or volume in thecollection vessel 160 before there will be sufficient condensate suchthat the condensate may exit the collection vessel 160 via the outlet65. Further, a conductivity probe 180, a pH probe 98, and/or atemperature probe 86 are positioned or spaced a distance from the bottomfloor 170 of the sampling and rejection device 50. This increases thesample size of the condensate that is be tested by the conductivityprobe 180, the pH probe 98, and the temperature probe 86. This providesfor more accurate readings of the physical and chemical characteristicsof the condensate. By allowing a volume of at least approximately 1gallon to approximately 40 gallons of condensate to build in thecollection vessel 160, the conductivity probe 180, the pH probe 98,and/or the temperature probe 86 are flooded or submersed with thecondensate. Although the conductivity probe 180, the pH probe 98, andthe temperature probe 86 are described, the device 50 may include one ofsaid probes, combinations of any of two of said probes, all three ofsaid probes, or additional probes to measure or monitor other physicaland chemical characteristics of the condensate.

The rejection outlet 85 is typically positioned in the bottom floor 170to allow the condensate to drain from the collection vessel 160.

The inlet 55 and/or the outlet 65 may also include structures that pointor orient toward the bottom floor 170 of the collection vessel 160. Suchan orientation encourages the condensate to mix in the collection vessel160 before the condensate exits the collection vessel 160 via the outlet65. Further, the inlet 55 and/or the outlet 65 may include a wideningportion to prevent back-pressure from forming in the collection vessel160.

For example, the inlet 55 includes nozzle 60, which expands in diameterand points toward the bottom floor 170 of the collection vessel 160. Thenozzle 60 has an increased diameter 62 compared to the inlet 55. Thenozzle 60 may include a 90° elbow that passes into the interior of thecollection vessel 160. An outlet 63 of the nozzle 60 points toward thebottom floor 170.

The inlet 55 and the outlet 65 may optionally include valves 67, 69which open or close the sampling and rejection device 50. The valves 67,69 may include ball valves. Such may be useful in by passing thesampling and rejection device 50.

The sampling and rejection device 50 may be plumbed in the condensatereturn line 15 via flange connections, welding, soldering, and the like.FIG. 2 shows flanging connections 71, 73 that fluidly connect the device50 to the boiler system 10.

The sampling and rejection device 50 may further include one or moredrain valves 91, 93. The drain valves 91, 93 maybe used by the operatorto manually drain the sampling and rejection device 50. The drain valves91, 93 may include ball valves.

The sampling and rejection device 50 may include a vacuum break 95 inorder to prevent a vacuum from forming in the sampling and rejectiondevice 50. The vacuum break prevents vacuums from forming to due tofluctuations in temperature of the condensate or liquids in the boilersystem 10.

The sampling and rejection device 50 may include a pressure relief inorder to prevent or reduce damage from a system 10 that fails and buildsup pressure in the sampling and rejection device 50.

The sampling and rejection device 50 may further include one or moreattachment devices 105, such as, for example, hooks, loops, openings, orother connectors that are integral or attached to the top portion 190 ofthe sampling and rejection device 50. The attachment devices 105 assistin positioning the sampling and rejection device 50 within the boilersystem 10. The attachment devices 105 may assist in suspending orholding the device 50.

The condensate feeds to the sampling and rejection device 50 viagravity. The collection vessel 160 is vented. The collection vessel 160may include a vent on a top portion 190 of the collection vessel 160.

The rejection outlet 85 includes a dump valve 90 to allow the device 50to dump the fluid in the device 50 when the conductivity, pH, and/ortemperature exceeds certain threshold or targeted levels. The rejectionoutlet 85 is in fluidic communication with a sewer or other wastewaterholding tank. By dumping the fluid through the rejection outlet 85,fluid with high levels of conductivity, unacceptable pH, or unacceptabletemperature levels are not returned to the central boiler 20.

The sampling and rejection device 50 may further include a fluid levelsensor 182 to measure the fluid level in the collection vessel 160.

The controller 300 may include a microprocessor, logic controller,circuit board, NEMA 4 Panel, or other control panels. The controller 300includes input devices for the operator to program the threshold levelsor the targeted ranges of conductivity, pH, and temperature that causethe dump valve 90 to open and close. The controller 300 may beprogrammed to set different threshold levels of conductivity, pH, andtemperature that cause the controller 300 to open the dump valve 90.

The controller 300 may be programmed to where the dump valve 90 opensupon measuring conductivity exceeding 50 umohs, undesirable pH levels,and/or undesirable temperature levels. Of course, the controller 300 maybe programmed to open the dump valve 90 at higher or lower conductivity,pH, and temperature levels depending upon the settings programmed by theoperator.

The controller 300 may also maintain the dump valve 90 in an openposition for a predetermined amount of time upon a signal to open thedump valve 90. For example, after the probe measures a conductivitylevel above the threshold level, the controller 300 may maintain thedump valve 90 in the open position for 10 minutes or other time perioddefined or inputted by the operator. The time period may allow thecollection vessel 160 to drain through the rejection outlet 85.

The controller 300 may also maintain the dump valve 90 in an openposition until the conductivity levels drop below a closing threshold.For example, the dump valve is maintained in the open position until theconductivity level is below 50 umohs or other level defined or inputtedby the operator. This closing threshold may be the same or differentthan the threshold that caused the dump valve 90 to open. When theconductively level falls below the threshold, or the pH and/ortemperature is desirable, the controller 300 will close the dump valve90 and the collection vessel 160 will fill until the fluid is asufficient level to again exit through the outlet 65 and to thecondensate return line 15.

The controller 300 may also maintain the dump valve 90 in an openposition until an operator manually resets the controller 300 and thedump valve 90 back to the closed position. As such, the dump valve 90continues to dump the condensate until the operator closes the dumpvalve 90.

The controller 300 may also be programmed to where the dump valve 90opens when the conductivity measures in or over a particular range ofconductivity, pH, or temperature over a particular time period. As such,the dump valve 90 opens when an average conductivity, pH, temperaturefor a time period is out of a targeted range. For example, the dumpvalve 90 may open when the conductivity measures above 50 umohs for aperiod of one minute. In this example, such programming would preventdumping of the condensate for momentary spikes in the conductivitylevels.

The controller 300 may also include alarm modules, modes, or processesthat signal an audible, visual (LED for example), or other notificationaction that the conductively, pH, or temperature levels have exceededthe threshold level. The notification action may include an electronicmail message, text message, telephone message, or other communication.Such alarms notify the operator of a conductivity, pH, or temperaturelevel exceeding the threshold level or out of the target range.

The controller 300 may also include a data logging module 305 thatrecords or saves relevant information regarding the event. The datalogging module 305 may save or record data and information, such as, thetime, date, conductivity levels, pH levels, temperature levels, flowrates of condensate, levels of condensate in the collection vessel 160,etc. The data logging module 305 may include flash download for transferof the data to a computing system or other device. The controller 300may include an Ethernet port 340 for downloading data from thecontroller 300. The data logging module 305 may include a sub-controller308 for processing the data and information for the data loggingfunctions.

An example of the controller 300 in shown in FIG. 4. The controller 300includes a visual alarm 310 to provide a visual alert when theconductivity levels, pH levels, temperature levels are in excess of thethreshold level or out of the targeted range. The controller includes aspeaker 315 to provide an audible alert when the conductivity levels, pHlevels, or temperature levels are in excess of the threshold level. Thecontroller 300 includes first visual and second visual displays 320 and325 to show the current conductivity levels, pH, temperature, or othercharacteristics of the condensate. The visual displays 320 and 325 arein electrical communication with the conductivity probe 180, the pHprobe 98, and the temperature probe 86. The controller 300 may include athird visual display 330 to show the current fluid levels in thecollection vessel 160, if the optional fluid level sensor 182 isemployed. The controller 300 may include the Ethernet port 340 in orderto access an internal memory 345 of the data logging module 305. Thecontroller 300 may include a memory card port 348 if removable memorydevices are employed. The controller 300 further may further include aninterface 350 for the operator to adjust and program the controller 300regarding the threshold level, the closing threshold level, the targetedranges for temperature, pH and conductivity, and other user definedvariables herein described. The interface 350 may include a touchscreen, keys, knobs, or other suitable controls. The interface 350 mayinclude a screen display 352.

The controller 300 may be integral to the sampling and rejection device50, positioned proximate to the sampling and rejection device 50,positioned or integrated with or into the central boiler 20, orpositioned in a control room. The controller 300 may be in direct wiredelectrical communication with the conductivity probe 180, thetemperature probe 86, the dump valve 90, the pH sensor 98, an optionallevel sensor 182, and other electrical components of the sampling andrejection device 50. The controller 300 may also be in wirelesselectrical communication with the conductivity probe 180, thetemperature probe 86, the dump valve 90, the pH probe 98, an optionallevel sensor 182, and other electrical components of the sampling andrejection device 50.

The sampling and rejection device 50 may be formed from an approximatelyround length of pipe. Although a round pipe is described, the samplingand rejection device 50 may include other shapes that hold a quantity ofthe condensate. For example, the sampling and rejection device 50 mayinclude a rectangular, round, ovular, etc. shaped collection vessel 160.The sampling and rejection device 50 may also include a standard tank orbucket shaped receptacle.

The pipe may have a diameter of approximately 8 to approximately 24inches and length of approximately 2 feet to approximately 10 feet. Thelength and width of the sampling and rejection device 50 will dependupon the specific application of the sampling and rejection device 50.The sampling and rejection device 50 may be scaled up or down dependingupon the particular application of the sampling and rejection device 50and the quantity of condensate passing through the sampling andrejection device 50.

The sampling and rejection device 50 is in electrical communication withthe controller 300. The controller 300 is in electrical communicationwith the conductivity probe 180, the temperature probe 86, the dumpvalve 90, the pH probe 88, the optional level sensor 182, and otherelectrical components of the sampling and rejection device 50.

The conductivity probe 180 may include probes or other conductivitymeasuring apparatus to the measure the conductivity of a solution. Suchprobes are commercially available from Honeywell as Models DL421/422/423Direct Line® Sensors.

A second sampling and rejection device 400 is shown in FIG. 5. Thesampling and rejection device 400 operates similarly to the sampling andrejection device 50. An inlet 405 in a top portion of a tank 410provides condensate to the tank 410 from the condensate return line 15.A conductivity probe 415 measures conductivity of the condensate. Theconductivity probe 415 is in electrical communication with a processor,such as the controller 300. An outlet 420 provides an exit for thecondensate. The outlet 420 is positioned above a bottom of the tank 410.A rejection outlet 425 drains the tank 410 when conductivity levels areelevated.

A third sampling and rejection device 500 is shown in FIG. 6. The device500 may be used in conjunction with the pumps of a lift station orcondensate receiver. The sampling and rejection device 500 operatessimilarly to the sampling and rejection device 50. As shown in FIG. 6, acondensate receiver 505, such as a Series CBE Condensate Return Unit,commercially available from ITT Domestic Pump, is used with the device500. An inlet 508 in a top portion of the condensate receiver 505provides condensate to a tank 510 from the condensate return line 15. Aconductivity probe 515 is inserted into or positioned in the tank 510 tocontact the condensate. The conductivity probe 515 measures theconductivity of the condensate in the tank 510. The conductivity probe515 is in electrical communication with a processor, such as thecontroller 300.

When the level of condensate in the tank 510 reaches an upper level, thecondensate receiver 505 will cycle one or more pumps 520 to cause flowfrom the condensate receiver 505 to an output line 530 that is influidic communication with the condensate return line 15. The outputline 530 includes a flow control or diverter to either allow thecondensate to pass to the condensate return line 15 or to the wastewater line 38, depending upon the conductivity levels measured by theconductivity probe 515.

The flow control may include a first valve 570 and a second valve 580that are in the output line 530. For example, a splitter or T connection560 may be joined to or positioned in the output line 530 in order tosplit or branch the output line 530 into lines leading to the condensatereturn line 15 and to the waste water line 38. The controller 300 opensand closes the valves 570, 580 in order to prevent condensate with highconductivity from reaching the central boiler 20. The first valve 570opens and closes flow to the condensate return line 15, while the secondvalve 580 opens and closes flow to the waste water line 38. Both thefirst and the second valves 570, 580 are in electrical communicationwith the controller 300 or other suitable logic controller configured toactuate the valves 570, 580. The first valve 570 allows good condensateto return to the central boiler 20, while the second valve 580 rejectsthe condensate to the waster water line 38, drain, collection tank, orother area away from the central boiler 20. If the conductivity of thesampled condensate is within the targeted ranges or below the thresholdlevel programmed into the controller 300, the first valve 570 will openor remain open and the second valve 580 will close or remain closed.When the sampled condensate is out of the targeted range or exceeds thethreshold level, the controller 300 will close the first valve 570 andopen the second valve 580 to prevent such condensate from reaching thecentral boiler 20.

Similar to the other embodiments described herein, the controller 300may toggle the valves 570, 580 as necessitated by the conductivitylevels measured by the conductivity probe 515. The controller 300 opensand closes the one or more valves 570, 580 based on the readings fromthe conductivity probe 515 to direct fluid to the condensate return line15 or the waste water line 38.

An existing boiler system 10 may be modified or retrofitted to includethe sampling and rejection device 500. For example, the condensatereceiver 505 may be fitted with the conductivity probe 515 by insertingthe conductivity probe 515 through a sidewall of the tank 510. The Tconnection 560 may be plumbed into the existing condensate return line15, and hosing may be added to drain the rejected condensate from thesecond valve 580.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particularembodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,various modifications can be made thereto without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is not intendedthat the invention be limited by the specification; instead, the scopeof the present invention is intended to be limited only by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed:
 1. A sampling and rejection device for condensate froma boiler or steam generating system, comprising: a collection vesseldefining an interior to hold a volume of condensate; an inlet in fluidiccommunication with the interior of the collection vessel to pass thecondensate to the interior; an outlet in fluidic communication with theinterior of the collection vessel; the outlet and the inlet arepositioned above a bottom floor of the collection vessel in order toallow the volume of the condensate to build up in the collection vessel;a rejection outlet in fluidic communication with the interior of thecollection vessel, the rejection outlet positioned in the bottom floorof the collection vessel to allow the condensate to drain from thecollection vessel, the rejection outlet engaged to a dump valve tocontrol flow of condensate through the rejection outlet; one or moresampling probes to measure conductivity of the condensate in theinterior of the collection vessel; and, a controller in electricalcommunication with the dump valve and the one or more sampling probes,wherein the controller opens the dump valve based on readings from theone or more sampling probes that exceed a threshold conductivity levelor are out of a targeted range of conductivity.
 2. The sampling andrejection device according to claim 1, wherein the rejection outlet ismaintained in an open position until the readings from the one or moresampling probes are below the threshold conductivity level or are in thetargeted range of conductivity.
 3. The sampling and rejection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the threshold level or the targeted rangeis set or changed by the operator.
 4. The sampling and rejection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the device passes the condensate to theoutlet so long as the conductivity does not exceed the threshold levelor is within the targeted range.
 5. The sampling and rejection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the rejection outlet is maintained in anopen position until the condensate is drained from the collectionvessel.
 6. The sampling and rejection device according to claim 1,wherein the collection vessel slows the condensate for sampling beforepassing the condensate to the outlet for return to the boiler or steamgenerating system.
 7. The sampling and rejection device according toclaim 1, wherein the outlet and the inlet are positioned on oppositesides of the sampling and rejection device.
 8. The sampling andrejection device according to claim 1, wherein the collection vesselslows a flow of the condensate to collect the volume of condensate inthe interior of the collection vessel.
 9. The sampling and rejectiondevice according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed toopen the dump valve when the conductivity measures out of a targetedrange or exceeds a threshold level over a time period.
 10. The samplingand rejection device according to claim 1, wherein the controllermaintains the dump valve in an open position until an operator manuallyresets the controller or the dump valve back to the closed position. 11.The sampling and rejection device according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller maintains the dump valve in an open position until theconductivity levels fall below the threshold level or returns to withinthe targeted range.
 12. The sampling and rejection device according toclaim 1, wherein the controller maintains the dump valve in an openposition for a predetermined amount of time upon a signal to open thedump valve.
 13. The sampling and rejection device according to claim 1,wherein the controller further comprises a data logging module.
 14. Thesampling and rejection device according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller further comprises an alarm module.
 15. A boiler systemcomprising the sampling and rejection device according to claim 1, theboiler system further comprising: a boiler for generating steam; pipesto distribute the steam about an industrial facility; additional pipesto pass the condensate from the steam to the sampling and rejectiondevice; and, a condensate return line connecting the boiler with theoutlet of the sampling and rejection device to return the condensate tothe boiler.
 16. A sampling and rejection device for condensate from aboiler or steam generating system, comprising: a tank to receive avolume of condensate; an inlet in fluidic communication with an interiorof the tank to pass the condensate to the interior; an outlet in fluidiccommunication with the interior of the tank; the outlet and the inletare positioned above a bottom floor of the tank in order to allow thevolume of the condensate to build up in the tank; the tank slows thecondensate for sampling before passing the condensate to the outlet; anoutput line in fluidic communication with the outlet; one or more valvesto selectively control fluid flow from the output line to a condensatereturn line and a waste water line; one or more sampling probes tomeasure conductivity of the condensate in the interior of the tank; and,a controller in electrical communication with the one or more valves andthe one or more sampling probes, wherein the controller opens and closesthe one or more valves based on the conductivity readings from the oneor more sampling probes to direct fluid to the condensate return line orto the waste water line.
 17. A boiler system comprising the sampling andrejection device according to claim 16, the boiler system furthercomprising: a boiler for generating steam; pipes to distribute the steamabout an industrial facility; additional pipes to return the condensatefrom the steam to the sampling and rejection device; a condensate returnline connecting the boiler with the outlet of the sampling and rejectiondevice.
 18. A boiler system, comprising: a boiler for generating steam;pipes or lines to distribute the steam about a facility; a sampling andrejection device positioned in the boiler system, the device comprising:a collection vessel defining an interior; an inlet in fluidiccommunication with the interior of the collection vessel; an outlet influidic communication with the interior of the collection vessel; arejection outlet in fluidic communication with the interior of thecollection vessel, the rejection outlet comprising a dump valve tocontrol flow of fluid through the rejection outlet, the rejection outletconnecting to a waste water line; one or more sampling probes to measureconductivity, pH, or temperature of the fluid in the interior of thecollection vessel; and, a controller in electrical communication withthe dump valve and the one or more sampling probes, wherein thecontroller opens the dump valve based on readings from the one or moresampling probes; additional pipes to return the condensate from thesteam to the inlet of the sampling and rejection device; a condensatereturn line connecting the boiler with the outlet of the sampling andrejection device to pass the condensate to the boiler.
 19. The boilersystem according to claim 18, wherein the sampling device is positionedremote from the boiler.